Welsh Conservatives have expressed disappointment and outrage over a broken-down train leaving passengers abandoned and distressed for hours. The 12:31 TfW service from Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven left hundreds of commuters stranded for three hours and twenty minutes just north of Abergavenny Station about 4pm on Monday. The incident led to the line being closed by Network Rail with a … [Read more...]
Station vandals putting lives at risk
Vandals have been damaging heart defibrillators at railway stations across Wales. Defibrillators, which are used to give a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest, were recently installed at several stations by Transport for Wales. Since their instillation, seven incidents of defibrillators being damaged (above) or stolen have been reported … [Read more...]
Welsh trains oldest in UK, say Conservatives
Welsh Conservatives say Labour’s rhetoric on tackling climate change is hollow and empty as Wales commuters suffer from old rolling stock. Data obtained by the Welsh Conservatives found that the average age of trains in Wales is 30 compared to an average age of 17 in Great Britain, but the Welsh Government said it's replacement train fleet is being tested before introduction and an extensive … [Read more...]
Wales locks down before Storm Eunice
Transport services and links across Wales are being locked down before the potentially lethal Storm Eunice arrives this morning. All trains have been cancelled, most long distance bus services are suspended while ferries are also taken out of service around Wales and schools are closed. Those living close to the sea and rivers have been sent potential flood alerts. Bridges over the Severn … [Read more...]
Tap and go transport trial in Wales
London-style tap and go ticketing will be tested on some Welsh bus and train services. Transport for Wales is gearing up to pilot pay-as-you-go ticketing on trains and buses – something the Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called for. It will mean passengers can tap their bank cards on the barrier gates to travel on trains and buses, similar to the set up in London. Since being elected to … [Read more...]
Train-safe campaign launches for Christmas season
British Transport Police and Transport for Wales has launched a joint operation this Christmas to keep passengers across Wales safe during the festive season. Operation Genesis will see extra officers and rail staff out across the network throughout the month to help anyone who needs it. With emphasis on Fridays and Saturdays during December, the operation will see an increase in … [Read more...]
Transport for Wales breaks the law – again
Welsh Government managed Transport for Wales is breaking its own legal requirements for passengers to wear face masks on its services after hundreds of rugby fans were seen squeezed onto trains after the Wales v Australia match. It follows similar incidents on rugby and soccer fans' trains operating across South Wales in recent weeks and opposition Senedd members have again said Transport for … [Read more...]
TfW running overcrowded trains, say Conservatives
Bosses at Transport for Wales have been criticised by Welsh Conservatives after two incidents of dangerous overcrowding on its trains. The Labour Government-owned body ran a service between Cardiff and Manchester with just two carriages, forcing passengers to sit on the floor or stand. One passenger said he had to help a blind woman step over people on the floor and another woman was too … [Read more...]
Budget fails Wales, claims Welsh Government
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has said the UK Government’s Spending Review and autumn Budget contains “clear gaps in funding” where Westminster has failed to invest in Wales. The Spending Review announced by the Chancellor on Wednesday contained no new investment for Coal Tip remediation or significant additional funding to support rail infrastructure in Wales – priorities highlighted by the … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 September
IHS Markit, whose production projections are cited by automakers, suppliers and research analysts the world over, just took its biggest chop yet to estimates that have been falling all year due to the global chip shortage. IHS Markit slashed its production forecast for this year by 6.2 percent -- or 5.02 million vehicles -- and lowered its projection for next year by 9.3 percent, or 8.45 … [Read more...]